Hi,
New to HTC and Android, but just wanted to get your opinion on something.
I got an unlocked HTC Desire S from a Chinese (Hong Kong) supplier via a local middleman. It had all kinds of Chinese bloatware on it, and so I decided to flash a new rom. When I went into About phone > Phone identity to write everything down before flashing, I noticed it has a strange 'Device serial number' of 123456789012. That looks kind of strange. On the box sticker and on the sticker in the battery compartment of the phone, what I see is "S/N: SH1CATJxxxxx". Is there anything fishy going on there?
The default Android 2.3.3 OS seems all right. It has what looks like a default HTC startup splash screen (though I don't know if that makes a difference). I did notice that there wasn't a Power settings entry in settings to change fastboot. I had to pull out the battery to get to the boot screen. Don't know if that's a big deal either. I also noticed it was S-Off to begin with when I installed root.
Does this all seem strange, legit, clone-ish? Are there even Desire S clones/knock-offs/gray models/and the like out there? I don't think so... but still, that is a strange device serial number in the phone software, and even the printed serial numbers on the box and battery compartment seem strange, starting with SH instead of HT.
Would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
waterprism said:
Hi,
New to HTC and Android, but just wanted to get your opinion on something.
I got an unlocked HTC Desire S from a Chinese (Hong Kong) supplier via a local middleman. It had all kinds of Chinese bloatware on it, and so I decided to flash a new rom. When I went into About phone > Phone identity to write everything down before flashing, I noticed it has a strange 'Device serial number' of 123456789012. That looks kind of strange. On the box sticker and on the sticker in the battery compartment of the phone, what I see is "S/N: SH1CATJxxxxx". Is there anything fishy going on there?
The default Android 2.3.3 OS seems all right. It has what looks like a default HTC startup splash screen (though I don't know if that makes a difference). I did notice that there wasn't a Power settings entry in settings to change fastboot. I had to pull out the battery to get to the boot screen. Don't know if that's a big deal either. I also noticed it was S-Off to begin with when I installed root.
Does this all seem strange, legit, clone-ish? Are there even Desire S clones/knock-offs/gray models/and the like out there? I don't think so... but still, that is a strange device serial number in the phone software, and even the printed serial numbers on the box and battery compartment seem strange, starting with SH instead of HT.
Would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Set up adb and type
adb devices
That'll give you your actual device number. No confusion then...
BTW even my device serial number starts with SH... that's not an indicator of a fake device. Check tour device serial number via adb and if it matches the one on the box... I guess you're good to go.
Beamed from the Dark Side using xda premium.
Through adb, it shows that same 123456789012 number.
so, it's probably just dumb luck that the no. is so Nothing to worry about.
shrome99 said:
so, it's probably just dumb luck that the no. is so Nothing to worry about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. Guess you're just plain lucky!! But then the box belongs to some other phone.how about some pics or screenshots??
Beamed from the Dark Side using xda premium.
waterprism said:
...starting with SH instead of HT...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are different serials for different regions/brands. SH is ok, it is the same for North Africa
I am not aware of a method to change the serial number (never needed such) but I am sure that there is. So if your system is android and your device is solid and nice then this should be a Desire S
Hi. Thanks, everyone.
@enigmaamit, I've posted a few pics and a screenshot. Not sure what kind of screenshot you need. Let me know if you need anything else. Thanks. Also not sure if these pics mean much if funny stuff is going on somewhere. The serial on the box clearly doesn't match the screenshot. And that seal was broken when I opened the package.
@amidabuddha, okay, thanks. But like I said above, and enigma said, the S/N on the box is one thing, the S/N the phone is printing out in the 'Phone identity' screen is totally different.
Appreciate your help.
That 'seal' doesn't look very authentic. There are grammatical mistakes too. And(I just noticed) it says 'SEALED PACKGE' instead of package so there's definitely something wrong.
I hope the phone is genuine.
The device is probably legit, just slightly used by someone else before. I think it's second hand, and the box belongs to another device.
waterprism said:
Hi. Thanks, everyone.
@enigmaamit, I've posted a few pics and a screenshot. Not sure what kind of screenshot you need. Let me know if you need anything else. Thanks. Also not sure if these pics mean much if funny stuff is going on somewhere. The serial on the box clearly doesn't match the screenshot. And that seal was broken when I opened the package.
@amidabuddha, okay, thanks. But like I said above, and enigma said, the S/N on the box is one thing, the S/N the phone is printing out in the 'Phone identity' screen is totally different.
Appreciate your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks legit to me. I wouldn't worry if it was my device.
Lol.... why don't you fool around and use the bar code scanner to scan the bar codes on the box and see where that leads you to!!
I'm starting to enjoy this Scotland yard stuff!!
Beamed from the Dark Side using xda premium.
Thanks, everyone. Guess I'll have to decide on my next step.
I'll do that, enigma. You mean with just a normal downloaded QR code app?
Use this - https://market.android.com/details?...mNvbS5nb29nbGUuenhpbmcuY2xpZW50LmFuZHJvaWQiXQ..
My device was made in Taiwan, not in China as yours!
Well, HTC is based Taiwan, but sometimes companies manufacture stuff in other countries too. It may also be that the packing is fake, which seems most likely at this time.
Also, since it's S-OFF, you should try some custom ROMs, Sense 3.5 is nice. Try Endymion or Virtuous Affinity. If they work, then it should prove that the device is legit. A knock off can't flash a ROM made for this, it's impossible.
Also, in hboot mode, select recovery and tell us what you see. If it's CWM or 4EXT, then it'll prove it's second hand. If you see stock HTC recovery, (red triangle with !) forget your worries
My box looks the same, the only difference is the seal
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
shrome99 said:
Well, HTC is based Taiwan, but sometimes companies manufacture stuff in other countries too. It may also be that the packing is fake, which seems most likely at this time.
Also, since it's S-OFF, you should try some custom ROMs, Sense 3.5 is nice. Try Endymion or Virtuous Affinity. If they work, then it should prove that the device is legit. A knock off can't flash a ROM made for this, it's impossible.
Also, in hboot mode, select recovery and tell us what you see. If it's CWM or 4EXT, then it'll prove it's second hand. If you see stock HTC recovery, (red triangle with !) forget your worries
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. Unfortunately, I've already flashed a new rom and so I can't remember what the original recovery was like... I flashed it up to 2.3.5 and Sense 3.0. I'm still new to Androids and didn't really have any misgivings about the phone at that time. It was during the whole process of flashing it, seeing that it was already S-Off, seeing that the serial number was sketchy, etc., that I began to wonder. By the time I was pretty sure something was wrong, I'd already flashed to official 2.3.5 to get rid of the Chinese stuff that I mentioned in my OP.
So, what this tells us is that the phone isn't a knock-off I guess. But I'm pretty sure it's a refurb/second-hand phone (refurb and second-hand are pretty much mutually inclusive here, so bottom line, it's a refurbished second-hand phone).
If not that, it's maybe some kind of development set or something. I came across some Chinese threads out there that have the serial number 0123456789012 mentioned in them. When I did a Google Translate on them, I kind of gleaned that that number can indicate a development or engineering set (or something like that). So it could mean it was used in development and now they're selling them off. Either way, not a new phone.
But the plot thickens when I actually came across a post here at xda that mentions that you can actually change the serial number like this --
Code:
fastboot oem writeserialno HT95XXXXXXXX
Which means these guys could have taken any phone and just wiped the serial number for this serial number.
yup, that seems to be it. It's a second hand phone, and the seller, in order to protect his identity, changed the serial no. The culprit is your supplier or middleman.
CASE CLOSED
One more thing - do you see any sort of hardware issues, that may be caused due to aggressive usage? Like big scratches on the screen or the unibody? If not, then you're just lucky to have gotten an S-OFF device.
shrome99 said:
One more thing - do you see any sort of hardware issues, that may be caused due to aggressive usage? Like big scratches on the screen or the unibody? If not, then you're just lucky to have gotten an S-OFF device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, not really. Phone works pretty well. Nothing glaring that I can notice, especially now after flashing to a slightly newer version of Android and Sense than the release shipped with. Also, obviously getting rid of that Chinese bloatware helped it a bit. There's a teeny-tiny scratch on the mesh speaker at the top that gets my goat right by the goddamn horns, I have to admit. I also just realized right this second that there's a protector screen on it! I just took it off. I doubt brand new Desire S's ever shipped with a screen protector already attached, if someone could just confirm.
But yeah, I've got it and it's S-Off. As I type that though, I'm pretty sure I'll be taking this further.
i doubt its fake ,i more expect that its a stolen phone with a changes serial number.
you can also check the warranty seal on top of a tiny screw right above the battery compartment.
Related
Hi Guys,
New to flashing the Sensation, though I've done my HD2 a good few times.
Girlfriend just bought a Sensation and I'm eager to flash a decent ROM to it but failing at the first hurdle.
From what I can tell, there is no HBOOT but instead it has uboot (forgive me if this sounds ridiculous).
When I use Power+Volume Down, I do not get a white screen with options and information but instead get a black screen. There's no sign of an HBOOT version, but there is a uboot version number.
If I press Power +Volume Up I am sent to a recovery mode, but I don't think it's CWM.
If I try to use Revolutionary, it finds the phone (in normal mode, not h/u boot) and says that the phone is not supported.
Phone was bought in China but I think it is a Euro model (T Mobile branding on top of phone)
There is a possibility that a ROM has already been flashed onto it - but it sucks, and I want her to get the best from her new phone.
Also, I cannot get the CID or MID number. Tried CID getter, neither of them were on there. Tried terminal emulator, no response from getprop ro.cid or ro.mid.
So even if I wanted to upgrade the firmware, I am unsure which one to use!!
Has anyone run into this sort of situation? Using SuperTool I was able to get root access, which is at least a step in the right direction but I'm not sure how to proceed. Maybe it's already s-off and I can update the firmware and thus get hboot. But if it's not, then I run the risk of ruining it.
If you think I can go ahead and try to install new firmware, without risk of bricking or semi bricking, then I would probably be inclined to go for it.
Looking around here and also on Google, I haven't seen anyone with the same issue, so any help you can give would be very welcome!!
Many thanks in advance,
Mr Al
two possibilities: your sensation is faked or it has been relocked by the sellor which is called "baikamumaji".
Sent from my Sensation using XDA
Thanks for that, although it's slightly bad news!!
I'll see if we can get in touch with the seller and take it from there.
Ok, we've just spoken (online) with the sellers 'tech' guy.
I think pmbldc is right, it's a fake.
Their guy says that it can be flashed, but only using the roms on their forum.
I think it's bull. Currently feeling ripped off and unhappy, but what can I do?!?!
Never buy any more devices from China??? Jus sayin... Sorry you got ripped off bro.. Sucks that that sort of thing happens...
Haha! A little tricky that one, as I live in China!
I've bought lots of electronics over here, both locally branded/produced and international. Lots of successes.
To be fair (grudgingly) this guy was considerably cheaper than everyone else. That old adage of 'if something seems too good to be true, it is' applies very well in this case.
Pretty disgusted with the whole thing, the conversation my girlfriend had with the 'tech' guy was ridiculous. Both she and I work in tech so his usual line of BS didn't work with us.
So now, having decided to be sensible and not buy the HTC One X, we're going to end up spending about the same amount of money anyway!
All we can do is learn from our mistakes, and at least now I know what to look for when buying a Sensation!!!!
True Story, bro
I've unlocked, rooted and ROM'ed probably 100 times on 25 different Android phones and tablets, this looks like my first official TF700 paperweight.
I saw another thread with a couple of people who did the same boneheaded thing I did: tried to install CWM the wrong way. Can't get into the ASUS recovery any more, either I hold volume down and get "Booting into recovery" (then hangs, no adb), or I hold volume up instead and I get a blank screen but it IS recognized as an APX device.
NVFLASH can't do anything at this point, the other thread had no good news either. Why ASUS can't have a "reset to factory recovery and bootloader" option is beyond me. Too late to return to NewEgg.
ASUS tech support would give me an RMA, BUT the big problem there is that since I put this awesome Skinomi cover on it, the sticker with the S/N had to go (hindsight is 20/20). I have a second TF700 that I unlocked, rooted, and installed CWM the right way. Is there any way using NVFLASH to get the blob from there and putting it on my bricked TF700 or is the blob encrypted to the device? I'm likely out of luck if I try to take the S/N sticker from my second TF700 and put it on the bricked one, ASUS will croak on that most likely.
Are there ANY other options? Short of just opening it up and looking at what's inside? That's a $600 visit I'd like to avoid.
Thanks.
ScaryBob said:
ASUS tech support would give me an RMA, BUT the big problem there is that since I put this awesome Skinomi cover on it, the sticker with the S/N had to go (hindsight is 20/20).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you saying that Asus won't even initiate the RMA process because you don't know what the serial number is?
What about the box - do you still have it? The serial number is on the box as well...
I would *hope* that the Asus warranty doesn't need to have that stupid sticker in order to get warranty coverage!
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 2
jtrosky said:
Are you saying that Asus won't even initiate the RMA process because you don't know what the serial number is?
What about the box - do you still have it? The serial number is on the box as well...
I would *hope* that the Asus warranty doesn't need to have that stupid sticker in order to get warranty coverage!
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply.
I used to keep EVERY original box... and yes, I do remember the serial number being there, but the ONE TIME I need the serial number, and all it is is a flimsy sticker on the device itself... And the ONE TIME I don't have the box.
I was able to get the RMA created, but I had to use the serial # of my second TF700. So now, the only way I can send it in would be to move the sticker. I have a funny feeling they'll just send it back saying that this is not the Droid we were RMA'ing for.
It also seems like they would have SOME WAY to just let the end user put back a stock bootloader on the device, then we would all save a lot of time! Other than the fantastic learning experience here, I really want to find a way to salvage this completely useless but fascinating piece of technology.
I wonder if NVidia could help with this... probably not. I guess I'll look.
There must be some way to get a stock bootloader back on my TF700!!!!
Wait a minute man can you boot on Fastboot mode? When you turn on with volume down you can choose the mode to start?
ScaryBob said:
I was able to get the RMA created, but I had to use the serial # of my second TF700. So now, the only way I can send it in would be to move the sticker. I have a funny feeling they'll just send it back saying that this is not the Droid we were RMA'ing for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chance is high, for it is embedded in the system somewhere and I doubt they will let the opportunity slip to make you pay. Unfortunately.
As a previous replicant asked: does fastboot work? You could push over a new recovery.img then...
MartyHulskemper said:
Chance is high, for it is embedded in the system somewhere and I doubt they will let the opportunity slip to make you pay. Unfortunately.
As a previous replicant asked: does fastboot work? You could push over a new recovery.img then...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, so if the serial# is etched in a tiny bit of truly ROM, why are they so hell bent on seeing the sticker... I'd gladly pay $50 for a program, blob, or special key sequence that can get me back to a stock bootloader. That would cost ASUS really nothing to provide in terms of loyalty to their brand and saving them countless hours in tech support.
No, I don't think fastboot works. I never get the "fastboot" message on the screen -- either it's stuck on "Booting recovery kernel image" with Power/VolumeDown or a blank screen with Power/VolumeUp (and then recognized with the APX driver). I've tried adb, fastboot, nvflash in both modes, and nada. Is one of those SUPPOSED to work in either of those scenarios? If so, I'll try again... it has now gone beyond the economics and is now in the realm of "the principle of the thing" or "I climbed the mountain because it's there". Plus, I'd really still like to have two operating TF700s.
ScaryBob said:
Right, so if the serial# is etched in a tiny bit of truly ROM, why are they so hell bent on seeing the sticker... I'd gladly pay $50 for a program, blob, or special key sequence that can get me back to a stock bootloader. That would cost ASUS really nothing to provide in terms of loyalty to their brand and saving them countless hours in tech support.
No, I don't think fastboot works. I never get the "fastboot" message on the screen -- either it's stuck on "Booting recovery kernel image" with Power/VolumeDown or a blank screen with Power/VolumeUp (and then recognized with the APX driver). I've tried adb, fastboot, nvflash in both modes, and nada. Is one of those SUPPOSED to work in either of those scenarios? If so, I'll try again... it has now gone beyond the economics and is now in the realm of "the principle of the thing" or "I climbed the mountain because it's there". Plus, I'd really still like to have two operating TF700s.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't heard of anyone coming back from where you are. I wish you luck. If you are able to recover somehow on your own, you will be giving this community a great gift by sharing your secret.
Personally, I think I'd send it in for an RMA without any serial number sticker. Did anyone at Asus say that the sticker needs to be in place in order to get warranty coverage? Like you said, I'm sure that they can validate the serial number somehow. Even if you gave the wrong serial number by "mistake" when setting up the RMA, they should be able to tell that it's actually covered by warranty if they can get the serial number. If not, they you have nothing to worry about. So, either way, you should be fine!
Unless they specifically said that "no sticker = no coverage" (which I hope is not the case)...
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 2
Hi:
My tf700t is bricked, no fastboot, only apx after a bad CMW installation, is there any way to restore or re flash using the tools and obvious understanding that you guys have. I really don’t want to send the device back to asus, and will be willing to donate to your site / cause / developers account if you guys could assist me in this matter. Thanks in advance for your time.
jtrosky said:
Personally, I think I'd send it in for an RMA without any serial number sticker. Did anyone at Asus say that the sticker needs to be in place in order to get warranty coverage? Like you said, I'm sure that they can validate the serial number somehow. Even if you gave the wrong serial number by "mistake" when setting up the RMA, they should be able to tell that it's actually covered by warranty if they can get the serial number. If not, they you have nothing to worry about. So, either way, you should be fine!
Unless they specifically said that "no sticker = no coverage" (which I hope is not the case)...
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose that is an option -- it's not doing me any good as a brick, the worst they can do is send it back.
I think you'll find that the serial number is probably identified inside the tab somewhere, anyway...
danger-rat said:
I think you'll find that the serial number is probably identified inside the tab somewhere, anyway...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the OP that was mentioned as well, but with the sidenote he didn't really want to open it up.
Mmmh... fastboot not working is not good... not good at all. I don't see any other option then than sending it back and see what ASUS does with it. As you said, the worst they can do is send it back... No, actually.... The worst they can do is repair it, permalock the bootloader and THEN send it back.
MartyHulskemper said:
No, actually.... The worst they can do is repair it, permalock the bootloader and THEN send it back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...and charge $380 for it (there was some quote in another thread).
_that said:
...and charge $380 for it (there was some quote in another thread).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, that's if they do absolutely nothing but write a check. (In that thread, at least in my memory, nothing was even actually done on that 700. )
when you guys mean "bad CWM install" what exactly does that mean so we can make sure we can save a few extra souls from doom?
Im pretty sure that is when they install CWM through the Rom Manager app.
mj23kb24 said:
Im pretty sure that is when they install CWM through the Rom Manager app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, since a few days after release (at most), we've known that Rom Manager is not compatible with the TF700. That's why you do not see it in any tutorial. Failure to read before doing leads to bricks in very, very many cases, and the 700's case is no different.
As we've concluded before, in terms of OP relevancy, I guess that sending you expensive baby in anyway would we the way to go (now if you'd only have fastboot available...).
Hey guys, you bunch seem like a smart group, so I hope yous dont mind if i post my problem here as well. Its an odd problem actually. I have CWM, fastboot, all working on my infinity, but cannot for the life of me get it to boot anything. It hangs at the first Asus splash screen and wont move from there. Ive flashed various different roms and recovery always says its successfully installed, but when i reboot it doesnt move past the first splash asus screen. Any ideas, i kinda have exams this week and my notes are on my tablet stupid me. Cheers fellas.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
WoodenAnts said:
Hey guys, you bunch seem like a smart group, so I hope yous dont mind if i post my problem here as well. Its an odd problem actually. I have CWM, fastboot, all working on my infinity, but cannot for the life of me get it to boot anything. It hangs at the first Asus splash screen and wont move from there. Ive flashed various different roms and recovery always says its successfully installed, but when i reboot it doesnt move past the first splash asus screen. Any ideas, i kinda have exams this week and my notes are on my tablet stupid me. Cheers fellas.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to provide some more info, are you on Jelly Bean or ICS? When this issue started? More details = higher chances to get help and solve your issue.
Lol sorry, i should know this by know. Was a long day. Uhh yes i was on a JB custom rom When the issue started. The rom had a couple hickups so i wanted to go back to my old one, so i did the nornal, nandroid, titanium backup, etc and flashed new rom. I believe what it did was delete the recovery image that it had, and then attempt to put on a new recovery as some roms do (to much annoyance) but this particular time it failed to install the new recovery for one reason or another. So i had no recovery for a while till i flashed it with fastboot, cwm 6.0.14 i think. So i tried doing a restore before this all happened, and recovery said it successfully restored, but when i reboot, it holds on the asus splash screen. Same with any Roms. And yes I wiped everything as well. Is that enough info?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Hey all, So I'm working on a T-mobile comet for the time being while I'm stuck with it. One of the things that I've noticed doesn't seem to exist is the Hboot menu. I've had it on every droid I've ever owned, but this one does not happen to be an HTC, so I'm not sure if maybe that's the reason why.
http://cloud.addictivetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/s-off.jpg
Is a picture of the menu I'm talking about and I'm just wondering. Is there a way to flash this on the comet?
I don't really see it as being essential to have as I could always just adb reboot recovery, but it'd be nice to have the option if I'm at work or something tinkering and something goes awry. Thanks
morgan5814 said:
Hey all, So I'm working on a T-mobile comet for the time being while I'm stuck with it. One of the things that I've noticed doesn't seem to exist is the Hboot menu. I've had it on every droid I've ever owned, but this one does not happen to be an HTC, so I'm not sure if maybe that's the reason why.
http://cloud.addictivetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/s-off.jpg
Is a picture of the menu I'm talking about and I'm just wondering. Is there a way to flash this on the comet?
I don't really see it as being essential to have as I could always just adb reboot recovery, but it'd be nice to have the option if I'm at work or something tinkering and something goes awry. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HBoot is an HTC-specific protocol/bootloader. That's why it's not on your Comet. What you mean to refer to, in general, is the bootloader screen. I'm not sure what the button combination is for your device, but a quick Google query should get you the answer
Product F(RED) said:
HBoot is an HTC-specific protocol/bootloader. That's why it's not on your Comet. What you mean to refer to, in general, is the bootloader screen. I'm not sure what the button combination is for your device, but a quick Google query should get you the answer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought that would probably be the answer. adb reboot recovery still stands as an alternative, just gotta be cautious if I'm toying around and not around a PC (Or not toy around at all. Ha! Yeah right) I did look up some on the bootloader for the comet. It's actually a frozen t-mobile startup screen. Why they would have that as a bootloader I haven't the slightest. Very inefficient and very confusing when attempting to reach a real bootloader at first. Plus side is it's a Comet, so if I break it. Well. Like I said; It's a Comet, Still in the process of debating wether to replace the digitizer and upper portion of my Glacier or just buy a new phone. (Digitizer strand ripped on the Glacier some so not really functional and the power and volume buttons are essentially shot. More effective to just buy a new phone, but I love my Glacier lol)
Hello folks, I guess I need help with this one :
Not a big Samsung fan but found a good deal on a S7 (craigslist) and got the phone without much homework.
After getting it home, see a few things that I don't like :
back plate says is 'Galaxy S7' and looks legit to me
power up screen also says 'Galaxy S7'
and displays t-mobile logo (supposed to be a tmobile phone)
but settings > about phone >model says 'SM-G920T'
Which turns out is NOT a model for S7 from what I can google.
Also - looks very thin on apps, as in hardly any at all, but has something called 'kingroot' which looks rather strange to me. Samsung including this on their phones ?
So, what the hell is this thing ? Is there a way to tell if it's been played with software or hardware wise ?
Any help from the connoisseurs of all things Samsung Galaxy greatly appreciated. And I know I', in the right forum for that, so thanks in advance.
BTW - not putting a SIM card or connecting this to any private wifi till I have some idea what it is I'm looking at.
Thanks
Sounds like a s6 from the model number, is there a space to put in an sdcard? If not then its an s6.
Yes, there's a tray holding the nano-sim+microSD card. Need to eject with a pin of some sort, in this case was a paperclip.
I know - search results point to S6, but that doesn't look right either.
Why I'm wondering what this thing is
Hope the experts will chime in.
Please post pictures of all sides. Also check image and video resolution and if the camera on the back has working image stabilization (open camera and move device while watching camera, it should stabilize itself)
Sounds like a fake to me
Try putting the phone in Download or Recovery Mode and see what it says.
Vol-Down + Home + Power on for download mode, Vol-up + Home + Power on for recovery.
It's probably a fake phone. Checking what the baseband version is in the Settings menu may help too.
Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
Some more info following your advice (thanks all !!!)
baseband : G930FVPU1APV5
there's no IMEI on the back that I can see/identify
recovery mode stops at a dead android screen saying 'no command' (that stopped my heart too for a sec ) , then the home button goes to recovery menu that says
system recovery <3e>
LMY47I test-keys
and a lot more that mostly does nothing - no ROM anywhere I looked
Apply update from sdcard/cache - no go
reboot to boot loader did not work either, unclear why and no time now to play with this
The good news : it is a working phone, the seller was using it and took out his sim and sd card after using it.
Bad news : still no clue what I got, some kind of frankenphone.
I will try to upload pics - only I don't know how yet
Whatever this is, since can't trust it in current state, what ROM should I put on before trying to do something with it . And if I install another ROM, would this be safe to use - assuming it does what I want it to do ?
Thank you all for the replies, will keep digging and still hope some expert will weigh in.
Your help greatly appreciated.
I'll never understand how can someone buy used thing without your own personal inspection of device from your hands. Sorry but you're dumb for doing this
alm0 said:
LMY47I test-keys
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Click to collapse
The s7 never came with lollipop, sounds like you got one of those s7 clones.
Download https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cpuid.cpu_z&hl=en and post pics of what it says on https://imgur.com/
alm0 said:
Some more info following your advice (thanks all !!!)
baseband : G930FVPU1APV5
there's no IMEI on the back that I can see/identify
recovery mode stops at a dead android screen saying 'no command' (that stopped my heart too for a sec ) , then the home button goes to recovery menu that says
system recovery <3e>
LMY47I test-keys
and a lot more that mostly does nothing - no ROM anywhere I looked
Apply update from sdcard/cache - no go
reboot to boot loader did not work either, unclear why and no time now to play with this
The good news : it is a working phone, the seller was using it and took out his sim and sd card after using it.
Bad news : still no clue what I got, some kind of frankenphone.
I will try to upload pics - only I don't know how yet
Whatever this is, since can't trust it in current state, what ROM should I put on before trying to do something with it . And if I install another ROM, would this be safe to use - assuming it does what I want it to do ?
Thank you all for the replies, will keep digging and still hope some expert will weigh in.
Your help greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry mate but it seems that either the os is custom or the phone is fake
t-shock said:
Sorry mate but it seems that either the os is custom or the phone is fake
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Click to collapse
why not both
avatar_ro said:
why not both
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Probably
If we had pictures, we would be able to recognise the phone better
---------- Post added at 04:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:14 PM ----------
avatar_ro said:
why not both
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably
If we had pictures, we would be able to recognise the phone better
avatar_ro said:
why not both
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, so I'm dumb getting a phone I know nothing about from a stranger. Your point is??
So got into bootloader and got jiggy with it and it says it's a 930f.
And assume it will be good enough for what I need.
I'll go full geek on it and find a good rom.
Anything that has the fm radio app?
alm0 said:
Okay, so I'm dumb getting a phone I know nothing about from a stranger. Your point is?��
So got into bootloader and got jiggy with it and it says it's a 930f.
And assume it will be good enough for what I need.
I'll go full geek on it and find a good rom.
Anything that has the fm radio app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey dude, I did not called you dumb but pretty sure what you did was not smart. why don't you send us some pictures of the phone? especially from the sides and back and we can quickly see if it's a ripoff or not.
No, I'm dumb and manly enough to admit it.
Did not do my homework so is my fault and paying for it.
In better news looks like I may have something I can work
with.
As long as I can get a rom I like. What's on it now is definitely debilitated, hardly anything there but don't trust it.
That and don't have a nano sim yet.
Waiting for rom recommendation, preferably with fm radio included.
Thanks again all!
I don't think you understand. Alot of people here believe you have a counterfeit phone. If you do, then you have something that may have 1/4 the screen resolution, 1/4 the power and 1/5 the camera quality of the S7. Get the IMEI (settings > about phone) and check on swappa to confirm if you have a S7. Also, If you have a black image, does the screen off or does it have a slight glow (OLED screen should be off when a black image is on screen). If you do have a counterfeit, no rom on this forum will work with your phone. The other thing to check would be to try to boot to download mode, as only authentic samsungs have it. It's important as most rooting/custom roms involve you first flashing something in download mode via Odin.
Here are instructions for entering download mode:
Switch off your smartphone completely.
Press and hold Volume Down, Home and Power buttons simultaneously.
Release these buttons when the Warning screen pops up.
I also fell for a counterfeit a few months ago. I spent ~$600USD on a white S7 from ebay. Fortunately, Ebay's seller protections were able to allow me to return the phone for a full refund.
"I also fell for a counterfeit a few months ago. I spent ~$600USD on a white S7 from ebay. Fortunately, Ebay's seller protections were able to allow me to return the phone for a full refund. "
I also fell for some fake headphones from eBay. Broke after 4 mos, sent them to Shure for warranty, came back "counterfeit". Found out Paypal has a 180 day refund policy. Notified them and had a full refund from the seller in about 5 min. Just an FYI.
Looks like either:
1. A cheap Chinese clone
2. A rooted Galaxy S6 (which is what the kingroot app is AFAIK).
Get your SN and restore it through Samsung Switch in Windows. This way you will find your phone back to a stock rom and not custom rom.
OK gang, is a clone s7. Big disappointment. But got to pay the price when I'm stupid.
Any one here needs one of these, can cut you a good deal
No clue what to do with it, ideas ?
(please don't say paperweight or doorstop, already thought of those)
alm0 said:
OK gang, is a clone s7. Big disappointment. But got to pay the price when I'm stupid.
Any one here needs one of these, can cut you a good deal
No clue what to do with it, ideas ?
(please don't say paperweight or doorstop, already thought of those)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you show us pics? So we see the fake.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I bought my phone on Amazon, refurbished. It was in great condition physically, and using it for a month or few it's working fine... But I'm starting to want to do the XDA thing and have forgotten the fact I'm not sure what phone I bought. Online when I bought it, I believe it was sold to me as a GM1910... This was confusingly perplexed further when I looked in the about section and found it to claim 2 other versions in different places... It said GM1915 in one area, and GM1917 in another... But did claim GM1910 at least somewhere... Until...
After the OS had it's update OTA, this got more fishy; now no longer claims GM1910, but claims both of the other versions. So I'm under the impression that perhaps other software was loaded onto it, other than what was on the hardware initially... But I seem to not know truly what version of hardware I'm in possession of...
Is there any way to tell for sure what hardware and radio I'm in possession of, and whether or not it's normal to have conflicting or even changing model numbers on the about screen. I've tried going into recovery, but that's bare of any model; unless I'm missing the snake biting me... Anyone have tips?
Best option is to obtain the IMEI and check it online. Hopefully that can give you the answer you are looking for
MemoryThief said:
I bought my phone on Amazon, refurbished. It was in great condition physically, and using it for a month or few it's working fine... But I'm starting to want to do the XDA thing and have forgotten the fact I'm not sure what phone I bought. Online when I bought it, I believe it was sold to me as a GM1910... This was confusingly perplexed further when I looked in the about section and found it to claim 2 other versions in different places... It said GM1915 in one area, and GM1917 in another... But did claim GM1910 at least somewhere... Until...
After the OS had it's update OTA, this got more fishy; now no longer claims GM1910, but claims both of the other versions. So I'm under the impression that perhaps other software was loaded onto it, other than what was on the hardware initially... But I seem to not know truly what version of hardware I'm in possession of...
Is there any way to tell for sure what hardware and radio I'm in possession of, and whether or not it's normal to have conflicting or even changing model numbers on the about screen. I've tried going into recovery, but that's bare of any model; unless I'm missing the snake biting me... Anyone have tips?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My device reads 1917 in About Phone, and both 1915 and 1917 in Regulatory Labels. Got it straight from OnePlus.
Cbro0345 said:
Best option is to obtain the IMEI and check it online. Hopefully that can give you the answer you are looking for
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Click to collapse
phr0zen said:
My device reads 1917 in About Phone, and both 1915 and 1917 in Regulatory Labels. Got it straight from OnePlus.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the effort thus far; I had done the IMEI on the official site, however it doesn't claim is any particular model, only that it's a pro7. Unless I'm being blind, which as frantic and I may have looked could be it... If you know otherwise, of love to be wrong here...
And I actually do feel somewhat better knowing my phone isn't the only one telling me conflicting information... But you never mentioned what model you figured you had though.... I'm hoping to assume you're certain that you bought a 1917 from the source? Perhaps the radio is the same?
That's really what I'm after, I want to know the bands that I am able to use, and whether I have band 71 [I think that what I'm after, the lowest freq tmo band]. Perhaps to add fuel to the fire, is anyone aware if we can flash the firmware of other models radios? I'm also curious to whether I'm able to get CDMA on my phone...
Right, so something I forgot to mention was before that update, I did have 2 iemi numbers, now I've only one... Furthermore, in bootloader there happens to be nothing in the fields that read: bootloader ver, baseband ver. This highly troubles me.
Sent from my OnePlus 7 Pro using XDA Labs
MemoryThief said:
Thanks for the effort thus far; I had done the IMEI on the official site, however it doesn't claim is any particular model, only that it's a pro7. Unless I'm being blind, which as frantic and I may have looked could be it... If you know otherwise, of love to be wrong here...
And I actually do feel somewhat better knowing my phone isn't the only one telling me conflicting information... But you never mentioned what model you figured you had though.... I'm hoping to assume you're certain that you bought a 1917 from the source? Perhaps the radio is the same?
That's really what I'm after, I want to know the bands that I am able to use, and whether I have band 71 [I think that what I'm after, the lowest freq tmo band]. Perhaps to add fuel to the fire, is anyone aware if we can flash the firmware of other models radios? I'm also curious to whether I'm able to get CDMA on my phone...
Right, so something I forgot to mention was before that update, I did have 2 iemi numbers, now I've only one... Furthermore, in bootloader there happens to be nothing in the fields that read: bootloader ver, baseband ver. This highly troubles me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ignore that, thought the OnePlus account would have told you further info but it doesn't. I'm not sure how you would go about finding the official number
Cbro0345 said:
Have you created a OnePlus account? I think you can attach th IMEI to a OnePlus account and view further info
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Yes, I've done this so far as I can tell looking in every nook'n'crany I could, nothing about anything model number, just the model. I know it's a7pro, I am certain based on design and the pop-up camera... But if you can find a model number on that site easily, I will admit social defeat.
Cbro0345 said:
Ignore that, thought the OnePlus account would have told you further info but it doesn't. I'm not sure how you would go about finding the official number
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Click to collapse
Lol, no worries; I'll be the first to admit that the fact I don't know this, and the fact it's not easily discernable is pretty unbelievable... I would question the amount of lost marbles someone lost until I went proving otherwise as well; but perhaps you can quell another suspicion.
Would you check your bootloader to see about whether you have values at the aforementioned versions?
Sent from my OnePlus 7 Pro using XDA Labs
Last thing I can think of is to download AIDA64 and check what model shows there